Special note: If you missed out on the first book in the series, "Astral Genesis", last time, it's no problem-- you have the opportunity to "catch up" by picking up a copy of "Genesis" right here!

Colonel Jonathan "Dru" DeVane

Partially of Cherokee Native-American descent, “grammatically-challenged” DeVane is ALL tough-guy. After commanding a space mission which resulted in “collateral damage”, accidentally causing the deaths of hundreds of people, DeVane was hounded mercilessly by the press-- ending his career in the astronaut corps. He quietly disappeared, living "off the grid" for the next ten years. Now, with new evidence about the mission surfacing, DeVane has been forced to call on his old flame, Jeannie, for help. With a deadly new threat arising from the world's most powerful leaders, DeVane is starting to think that maybe his conspiracy theories weren't so crazy after all!

Dr. Regina "Jeannie" Lewis

Once DeVane's fiancée, Jeannie was devastated by the media firestorm following the disastrous space shuttle mission (on which she served as a crewmember) and bitterly broke off their engagement. Jeannie's aerospace career fell victim to the inevitable collapse of NASA and the U.S. Space Program, forcing her to change her career to the medical profession. Now widowed and raising rebellious "tweenage" daughter Angelica alone, single-mom Jeannie has her hands completely full-- and zero-tolerance for any of DeVane's hare-brained nonsense. In fact, the LAST thing Jeannie needs right now is Jonathan DeVane back in her life. Guess what’s going to happen... again!

"Rob"

A teenaged expatriate of the former Soviet Union, "Rob," as he calls himself, refuses even to divulge his real name. Imprisoned by the United States government for a long list of cybercrimes, Rob impatiently awaits the opportune moment to escape and regain his freedom-- by ANY means necessary. Now, having crossed paths with DeVane, Rob senses that his triumphant return to the digital underground may finally be within his grasp. His plans to abscond have been complicated, however, as he has recently met the girl of his dreams... Lila!

"Lila"

A deadly synthesis of human and alien DNA, Lila's genetically-engineered "Astral enhancements" include herculean strength, catlike agility, superior endurance, and off-the-charts healing abilities-- with increased mental capacity to match! Though she was created by the evil Astrals to facilitate the destruction of the human race, Lila’s Astral "programming" was incomplete when her spaceship crashed on Earth. Now, it is at best uncertain with whom Lila will ultimately side. Torn from the life she once knew, and forcibly repurposed to serve the evil Astral hierarchy, will she help DeVane and her new "friends"... or will she assist her alien masters in the extermination of all humanity?

Wait... these are the GOOD GUYS?

Yep, and that’s the appeal of "Astral" graphic novels, including "Evolution". The quirkiness of these characters' interactions is a gold mine for humor, something often found lacking in much of today's science fiction and action fare...

More importantly, however, no matter how dire any alien threat faced by Earth, our little band of misfit heroes (or anti-heroes?) must first confront a much greater challenge:

Can they resolve to set aside their fundamental differences, and learn to work together as a team?

...and, speaking of teams:

You're in good hands!

We're the "Astral" team: A troupe of international artists and creators with hundreds of years of comics-industry experience between us, producing top-quality artwork for major publishers like Dynamite and Zenescope!

In fact, many of you may have already loved seeing Ariel Medel’s fantastic, cinematic-style artwork in such popular titles as Xena: Warrior Princess, John Carter: Warlord of Mars, and Hitman: Agent 47!

Read more about us below:

Jay, why are you doing this?

In "Astral Evolution" and its character-driven story, I wanted to continue exploring core themes about humanity-- by way of a gripping and action-packed thrill ride!

Through adversity, will this diverse group of individuals find themselves bonding together like a family? Can DeVane lead his rag-tag team to victory... or will they self-destruct first?

I’d like to offer YOU-- the Kickstarter community, my friends and peers-- the opportunity to be part of our book launch! By pledging, you’ll be among the FIRST people to get your hands on “Astral Evolution” and some of our super-cool and exclusive rewards!

What’s the purpose of this campaign?

The book is nearly done-- we're just finishing it up right now-- but we need your help to print physical copies of “Astral Evolution”.

Our goal in coming to Kickstarter is to offset some of the significant costs of printing through pre-orders for the books and other rewards.

Over the next month, I'm offering YOU the opportunity to back our project and grab yourself a copy of Astral Evolution-- BEFORE it’s available in stores.

If you can help us raise at least $3,000 for printing costs here on Kickstarter, my team and I will take care of the rest! If funding exceeds the printing estimate we will use the overage to expand the print run and produce additional copies of the "Two Worlds" design (cover "A").

Risk is minimal! The book and rewards are already paid for-- and the book is very nearly finished. We expect digital books to be distributed around January/February 2019 (but no later than April 2019), and physical copies of the book mailed to you no later than July 2019 (keeping in mind that the printing process normally takes 3 months to complete).

You can help us by hopping aboard, and being part of the Astral Evolution Kickstarter Event by pledging for one of our awesome rewards packages (see "The Rewards" section below)!

Please help us print “Astral Evolution” and get some great rewards by clicking that big, green “Back this project” button at the top of this page.

Thanks! My team and I are grateful for your support!

Your friend & fellow comics fan,

-Jay

Risks and challenges

Having personally backed nearly 250 comics projects right here on Kickstarter, I have a deep appreciation for what it means to launch a campaign and ask for your support!

I also have a keen understanding of how the Kickstarter platform works, having already completed fulfillment for our last Kickstarter for "Astral Genesis".

As such, I am confident that my team and I will be able deliver your rewards as promised, upon successful completion of the campaign.
In addition, my team and I have over 20 years' experience in comics and collectibles fulfillment-- so please rest assured that we’ll have no problem shipping your books and other rewards to you promptly as soon as we receive them from our printer.

With overseas production there is always a possibility that delays can occur in the phases of printing, shipping, and customs inspections. As with the "Genesis" campaign, I will be monitoring the process closely, and you have my assurance that if there is any schedule slippage I will communicate it to you (along with an appropriate plan for resolution) as soon as possible.

PLEDGE WITH CONFIDENCE!

As always, your "Astral Evolution" rewards are fully backed by the "Pet Piranha Entertainment Guarantee" (see above). Please contact me if there is anything amiss with your rewards package, and my team and I will do whatever it takes to make it right!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,999 or more
About $1,999

Ultimate Astral Exp Package +JAY WRITES!

JAY WILL WRITE YOUR COMIC SCRIPT (up to 22 pages; based on your outline; up to 2 revisions; no offensive material; must be used by July 2018) + 2 LARGE-SCALE vehicle models from the production + Space Shuttle Venture model + 6 books! You get the 5-book collection package: A set of 5 "Evolution" books with 5 different cover types + a "Genesis" Hardcover - All books Double-signed + AE & AG Swag Packages!